Apparatus for spinning rayon and the like



March 16, 1937. o. OPPENLAENDER APPARATUS FOR SPINNING RAYON AND THELIKE Filed Oct. 5, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BY @M,% %W% ZL AATTORNEYS 16, 1937. OPPENLAENDER 2,074,022

APPARATUS FOR SPINNING RAYON AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 5, 1935 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS March 16, 1937. o. OPPENLAENDERAPPARATUS'FOR SPINNING RAYON AND THE LIKE FiledOct. 5, 1935 3Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR OJM MQMM BY 1% w h aw mk ATTORNEYS PatentedMar. 16, 1937 APPARATUS FOR SPINNING RAYON AND THELIKE OskarOppenlaender, Rome, Ga., assignor to Tubize Chatillon Corporation, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 5, 1935,Serial No. 43,748

10 Claims.

This invention relates to spinning rayon and the like (artificial silk,artificial horsehair, artificial human hair, ribbons, casings, etc.,hereinafter also referred to as thread), and has for its object theprovision of an improved method of and apparatus for spinning suchmaterial. More particularly, the invention contemplates a spinningapparatus embodying an improved construction and arrangement of twopower-driven godets about which the freshly coagulated thread is looped(preferably a number of times) in its passage from the spinnerette tothe thread-collecting device. The invention especially aims to provide asimple gear train drive for the godets in combination with means forreadily and conveniently adjusting the axes of rotation of the twogodets with respect to one another, and for further adjusting theposition of one or both of the godets with respect to the stationarysupport on which go the complete mechanism is mounted.

In accordance with the method of the invention the thread is looped overtwo power-driven godets in its travel from the spinnerette to thecollecting device under conditions which effectively prevent slipping ofthe thread in contact with the godets.

A different tension is effected in the thread between the spinneretteand godets than between the godets and collecting device, and the methodof the invention aims to prevent an equalization 30 of these tensions.

In the manufacture of rayon and the like by the viscose, celluloseacetate, -cuprammonium, etc. processes, the thread is under differenttensions during the various steps of the spinning operation,

35 varying in kind and magnitude with the various types ofthread-collecting devices such as pots, reels, bobbins, rollers, etc.

In the pot spinning operation, the thread tensions vary and aredifferent before and after the to commonly used godet (power-drivendrawing roller) positioned between the spinnerette and pot to such anextent that in many instances the moving thread slips over the godetsurface, thereby disturbing the desirable uniformity of the spinningoperation, which in turn impairs uniform qualities of theintermediateproducts (spin packages), their subsequent processing, andthe finished semi-Products (yarn, ribbons, etc.) or either of them, andfinally of the various fabrics and products made therefrom. The tensiondifference between the thread portion before the godet and that afterthe godet is considerably increased when, for example, the revolutionsof the pot and its diameter, or either of them, are increased above thepresent customary standards of 6,000 to 8,000 R. P. M. and 6 to 7 inchesin diameter, respectively, as is the tendency in the pot spinningoperation. The increased centrifugal force of the thread portion betweenthe funnel mouth (thread guide) and the pot (collecting device) willthen exert a corresponding enhanced tension force primarily upon thethread after the godet. However, the adhesional force of contact betweenthe moving thread and godet surface is frequently overcome by thegreater tension force, causing considerable slippage of the thread overthe godet in an entirely uncontrollable way. The resulting detrimentalinfluences of constant or irregular thread slippage upon uniformity ofdenier, dyeing, twist, etc. of threads spun under such uncontrollableconditions as well as the cutting damage to godet and guides by apassing and slipping thread, especially of pigmented type, are wellknown to those skilled in the art.

In spool spinning operations and the like, the practices ofmulti-filament spinning, high speed spinning and stretching, or eitherof them, (the latter being applied mostly between spinnerette and one ormore intermediate godets, also between spinnerette and take-up spool)are primarily responsible for enhancing tension in the thread ahead ofthe godet, or ahead of the various types of collecting devices. Here,again, the increased tension force will cause slippage of the thread onthe godet surface, but in the opposite direction than before, in casethe surface adhesion force is too small. The resulting disturbances ofextrusion, stretching, contracting and winding procedures will cause inthis case quite similar damage to the properties of the yarn.

In both cases, these disturbances become naturally greater the higherthe thread tension and the thread slippage over the godet surface.Apparently, it is essential to procure a secure grip of the threadpassing over the godet in all such spinning operations in which thethread on its Way from spinnerette to collecting device is subjected toconsiderable tension differences, and equalization of such tensiondifferences must be prevented if the anticipated beneficial results areto be attained.

Various expedients have heretofore been suggested for increasing theadhesional friction force of the thread on the godet, with the view ofpreventing slippage of the thread over the godet surface. The adhesionalfriction force between godet and the thread must be greater than themaximum differential tension of both thread portions in order to securea non-slipping grip of the thread on the godet. Since the differentialtension force will be smaller or greater for different contemplatedobjectives, the corresponding measures provided to prevent threadslippage will be accordingly more or less drastic and effective. Forexample, it has been suggested to use a pressure roller for the purposeof pressing the thread onto the godet, thereby preventing threadslippage. As the semi-coagulated filanients are in a highly plasticstate, they are liable to be deformed to an undesired extent. Othersuggestions require, for example, a lapping of the thread around anordinary godet in as many loops as are required for overcoming slippagein practical operations, necessitating the application of looping guidesin order to prevent tracking of the loops one upon the other. However,in practice, these looping guides do not always perform satisfactorilywhether in the form of stationary rods, comb-like structures, etc., orin the form of a freely rotating disk or roller being driven by thethread itselfpassing over its surface. The thread cuts grooves in theguides and godet surface of ordinary hardness, and the hub friction of afreely rotating guide is frequently irregular and different from spinposition to spin position under practical operating conditions, therebyincreasing thread tension of irregular magnitude and impairingparticularly yarn properties like denier, dyeing and smoothness ofsurface.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome theaforementioned difficulties, and to this end the invention contemplatesan improved spinning operation in which thread slippage is effectivelyprevented for comparatively great thread tension differentials. Inemploying the apparatus of the invention, this is accomplished by twopower-driven godets, obliquely positioned for obtaining and maintaining,both preceding and following the looping of the thread around thegodets, a predetermined and optimum tension in each of the various stepsof the spin ning operation, irrespective of the magnitude and theirregularities in the thread tension in any r one of the spinning steps,or either of them.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved meansfor adjusting the position of the two. power-driven godets in relationto the extrusion and thread-collecting devices by a pendulum-likecarrier for the purpose of attaining an unrestricted thread path ontoand from the godets.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved means forreadily and conveniently adjusting one of the godets, by flexiblyfastening the godet to the aforementioned pendulum-like carrier betweenpivoting screws or buttons, one of which is arranged for easymanipulation and free access thereto, thereby permitting the mostsensitive adjustment of the feed of the thread loops on the godetsduring operation.

Still another object of the invention is the pro vision of, improvedmeans for driving the two godets, obliquely and adjustably positioned onan adjustable carrier, by means of a central silent gear havingspecially shaped teeth which mesh with those of the obliquely andadjustably positioned godet gear for the purpose of securing a flexible,slip-proof and silent drive of both godets, thereby permitting adefinite predetermination of the number of loops required to preventthreadslippage on the godet surfaces under all conditions of operation.

The novel and improved features of the apparatus of the invention willbe better understood from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic frontelevation of. a pot spinning apparatus illustrating the salientprinciples of operation;

Fig. 2 is a similar diagrammatic front elevation of a spool-spinningapparatus;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a portion of a spinning apparatusembodying the invention;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a portion of a spin ing apparatusembodying a preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the apparatus of. Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic showing of the specially shaped gear teethpermitting meshing when the gear axes are obliquely positioned, that is,not parallel.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates in principle the manner inwhich (for example in the viscose pot-spinning operation) thread T,extruded from the spinnerette S into a spin bath B, is propelled bygodets R and R and fed forwardly on the godets by the obliquelypositioned godet R in as many loops as predetermined for securing apositive non-slipping adhesional grip on both godet surfaces, and ispulled, in passing winding funnel F, into the collecting and twistingpot P by the centrifugal force acting upon the thread portion passingbetween funnel mouth and thread cake. Ordinarily, thread portion T isthereby placed under greater tension than thread portion T, said tensionbecoming the greater the larger the pot diameter and the higher therevolutions of the pot. As equalization of the tensions in the twodifferent thread portions (T and T) is undesirable, effective separatingmeans, such as the invention contemplates, have to be provided in orderto prevent under all operating conditions tension equalization betweenspinnerette and pot.

Fig. 2 illustrates in principle another instance of complete separationof different thread tensions in the viscose spool spinning operation.Thread-portion T, after extrusion from spinnerette S into spin bath B,is pulled over two braking immersion guides G and G by godets R and Rand is fed in as many loops or slings as desirable around both godets.Thread portion T is propelled by take-up spool W and wound on it bywinding guide Y with such a tension as is advantageous for yarn qualityand efficient aftertreatment of the yarn package on the spool. Threadportion T is under a greater tension the higher the take-up speed, themore filaments composing the thread and the greater the variousretarding and braking forces (e. g. for stretching purposes, etc.)between spinnerette S and godet R. Since the tension in thread portion Tis relatively small, and since the tension of thread portion T increasesunder certain circumstances to a considerable extent, the tension ofthread portion T will tend to equalize with that of thread portion T,until and unless sufficient additional godet surface is brought intoaction, as provided in this invention, in order to prevent equalizationof the two greatly differing thread tensions. The intermediate step ofslip-proof looping the thread around two godets for the purpose ofdelivering a thread portion under high tension to a subsequentprocessing step where the thread portion is under lower tension, andvice versa, is the n Y of more essential as the difference in threadtensions becomes greater. The tendency in the various spinning processeslies in this direction. The number of loops required to prevent threadslippage is less when both godets are power-driven.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a driving shaft It(connected with any suitable source of power) and its associated bearingsleeve It are mounted in a flanged hub l2 secured by bolts l3 to astationary part I i (e. g. drive box) of the spinning apparatus. A pairof spaced hub-members l5 and i5, of elastic or resilient material, aresecured by pressure to the shaft it).

' The hub or body member it of the upper godet R is secured to themembers it; and I5. The mantle or exterior member ll of the godet R ispressed onto the member if. A gear I8 is mounted on a rearwardlyextending hub I 6' of the member l6, and is firmly secured in positionby a projection l9 on the gear fitting in a corresponding notch in thehub l6.

A pendulum-like carrier 23 is adjustably suspended from the flanged hubl2. Intermediate its ends, the carrier 2i! has two projections 2!adapted to be adjustably secured to the lower wall M of the stationarysupport by bolts 22 registering with slots 23 in the wall. Adjustment ofthe carrier permits relative adjustment of the position of the twogodets R and R, a matter of particular importance for undisturbedguidefree running on and oil of the thread portions T and Trespectively, of Figs; 1 andZ.

The lower end of the carrier has a circular hole 24 in which isadjustably positioned a holder 25 for the shaft 26 of the godet R. Thus,the holder 25 is pivotally mounted in the hole 24 of the carrier 25 byan upper screw 2'! and a lower screw 28. The lower screw 28 has anoperating knob 28' at its lower end, and a serrated pressure plate 29 issecured to its upper end and fits in a corresponding recess in theholder 25. A locknut 36, having a handle 3b, is threaded on the screw28. The shaft 28 can thus be pivoted i slightly around the axes of thescrews 2! and 28 in a plane parallel to the axis of the driving shaftill, thereby permitting setting of the axis of the shaft 26 slightlyobliquely to the axis of the shaft 50 for a predetermined feed of thethread loops on both rotors. For the sake of clarity, this angulardeviation of the axes of the shafts iii and 26 is not indicated in Figs.3 and 4. A most accurate oblique adjustment of shaft 26 during operationcan be effected by manipulation of the lower screw 28 and lock-nut 30,both easily accessible to the operator for a slight loosening andtightening of the frictional engagement of the serrated pressure plate28 when changing the feeding angle by simultaneously pivoting shaft 26with the other hand to the desired extent.

The shaft 26 is rigidly secured to the holder 25 by a pin 3|. Acidresistant .and self-lubricating bearings 32 and 32 are secured to thehub or body member 33 of godet R. The bearings are rotatably mounted onthe shaft 26, the rotating unit being held on the shaft by an elasticring 34 secured to the outer end of the shaft. The mantle 35 of thegodet R, is pressed onto the member 33. A gear 36 is mounted on arearwardly extending hub 33' of the member 33 and is securely held inposition thereon.

A gear or pinion 31, freely rotating on a shaft 38 rigidly secured tothe carrier 25] by a pin 39, meshes with the gears l8 and 36. The teethof gear 36 and pinion 31 are shaped as indicated in Fig. 7 on account ofthe oblique operating position of shaft 26 and the associated godet R.The gears and pinion may advantageously be made of material insuringpractically noiseless operation, such, for example, as medium softrubber. The gear train composed of gears I8, 36 and 31 is driven by thedriving shaft I0. All parts of the apparatus subject to wear and tear ormanufacturing changes, such as gears, bearings, godet mantles, etc., arearranged for easy exchange and replacement.

Shields ti! and Al are secured to the top and bottom, respectively, ofthe carrier 20 to protect the gears I8 and 36, respectively, and todiminish splashing of excess bath by godet rims and gears.

The godet mantle 35 is substantially cylindrical and of smaller diameterthan the godet mantle ll. These mantles are exchangeable and either maybe replaced with mantles of other desired configurations and dimensionsat will. The front end of the mantle H is especially shaped for easilycollecting and removing the waste yarn spun while the take-up spools aredofied.

Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings show a modified, and in some respects apreferred, form of the invention. The gear train composed of gears l8,3'! and 36', is driven by a driving shaft 42 to which the gear or pinion3'5 is secured by a pin 43. The pendulum-like carrier 20' is suspendedfrom a flanged hub l2 attached to the stationary support M by bolts l3.Near its lower end, the carrier 20 has a projection 2| with a slot 44. Abolt 45 extending through the slot 44 secures the projection 2| (and thecarrier 26) to the stationary support M in any desired adjustedposition.

A shaft ill (for godet R) is secured to the upper end of the carrier 28by a pin 3|. Another shaft 26 (for godet R) is secured by a pin 3! to aholder 25' adjustably positioned in a hole 24' in the lower part of thecarrier 20. A projection 46 at the top of the holder 25', seated in acorresponding recess in the upper surface of the hole 24', serves as theupper pivot for effecting angular adjustment of the shafts l0 and 26.Such angular displacement of the shaft 26 with respect to the shaft itis illustrated in Fig. 5, but not in Fig. 6. In Figs. 5 and 6 the godetsR and R are of the same configuration and dimensions. The hubs 33 andmantles l'l may be perforated as indicated.

Godets R and R are secured to their respective shafts I0 and 26' in thesame manner that godet R is secured to shaft 26 in the apparatus ofFigs. 3 and 4. The lower shield 4! is arranged to drain or dischargeinto a well 41 attached to the stationary support I 4.

In other respects the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6 is the same as that ofFigs. 3 and 4 and corresponding parts are indicated by the samereference characters.

The operation of the apparatus will be understood from the foregoingdescription. Without departing from the spirit of the invention, theflexible gear drive may be replaced by any other suitable slip-proofdriving mechanism, and the apparatus may be attached to the spinningmachine in any suitable position or location.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like comprising a stationarysupport, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, a carriersuspended around said shaft and adapted to be adjustably secured to saidsupport, a pair of godets at least one of which is mounted on saidcarrier, and means operatively connecting said shaft to said godets.

2. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like comprising a stationarysupport, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, a carriersuspended around said shaft and adapted to be adjustably secured to saidsupport, a pair of godets of which one is pivotally mounted on saidcarrier for adjusting its axis of rotation with respect to the axis ofrotation of the other godet, and means operatively connecting said shaftto said godets.

3. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like comprising a stationarysupport, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, a carriersuspended around said shaft and adapted to be adjustably secured to saidsupport, said carrier having an opening in which is pivotally mounted ashaft holder, a godet rotatably carried on a shaft secured to saidholder, a second godet, and means operatively connecting said drivingshaft to said godets.

4. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like comprising a stationarysupport, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, a carriersuspended around said shaft, a pair of godets at least one of Which ismounted on said carrier, means for angularly adjusting the axis ofrotation of one of said godets with respect to the axis of rotation ofthe other godet, and means operatively connecting said shaft to saidgodets.

5. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like comprising a stationarysupport, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, a carrierpivotally suspended around said shaft, means for adjustably securingsaid carrier to said support, said carrier having an opening in which ispivotally mounted a shaft holder,-means for adjustably securing saidholder in the opening of said carrier, a godet rotatably carried on ashaft secured to said holder, a second godet, and means operativelyconnecting said driving shaft to said godets.

6. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like comprising a stationarysupport, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, a carriersuspended around said shaft and adapted to be adjustably secured to saidsupport, a pair of godets mounted on said carrier on opposite sides ofsaid shaft, and means operatively connecting said shaft to said godets.

7. An apparatus: for spinning rayon and the like comprising a stationarysupport, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, a carriersuspended around said shaft and adapted to be adjustably secured to saidsupport, a pair of godets mounted on said carrier on opposite sides ofsaid shaft, means for angularly adjusting the axis of rotation of one ofsaid godets with respect to the axis of rotation of the other godet, andmeans operatively connecting said shaft to said godets.

8. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like, comprising a stationarysupport, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, a carriersuspended around said shaft, a pair of godets at least one of which ismounted on said carrier, means for moving said carrier with respect tosaid support and for securing the carrier to the support 'in adjustedposition, and means operativeiy connecting said shaft to said godets.

9. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like, comprising a stationarysupport, a shaft mounted on said support, a carrier suspended aroundsaid shaft, a pair of godets at least one of which is mounted on saidcarrier, means for angularly adjusting the axis of rotation of one ofsaid godets with respect to the axis of rotation of the other godet, andmeans for driving said godets.

10. An apparatus for spinning rayon and the like, comprising astationary support, a driving shaft rotatably carried by said support, apivotally mounted carrier adapted to be adjustably secured to saidsupport, a pair of godets mounted on said carrier on opposite sides ofsaid shaft, means for angularly adjusting the axis of rotation of one ofsaid godets with respect to the axis of rotation of the other godet, andmeans whereby said shaft drives said godets in unison.

OSKAR OPPENLAENDER.

